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m24shooter
28 November 2009, 18:33
Bravo Company Manufacturing Gunfighter Charging Handle

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gunfighterswag.jpg
The Bravo Company Manufacturing Gunfighter charging handle system, Mod 3 on top of Mod 4.

The charging handle on the AR platform was originally intended, designed, and used in a manner different from what is frequently encountered today. The old method of using the firing hand to slingshot the charging handle by pinching on the latch with the thumb was functional, and didn’t apply any unintended stresses on the assembly. It worked, and that was about it. In the decades that the AR system has been in use more attention has been given to ergonomically running the system with economy of motion. Users began moving towards eliminating unneeded movement and the method of operating the charging handle with the support hand began to be implemented. This allowed the firing hand to stay where it needed to be on the rifle or carbine while the support hand sweeps or hooks the charging handle and cycles the bolt. With a stock latch, this can be a small target under the best of circumstances. Add in stress, rain, blood, mud, and adrenalin and what should be simple becomes more complex. Thus, the evolution of the charging handle and latch began.

This evolution led to a variety of charging handles being offered for the AR platform. Ambidextrous, gas diverting, tactical, etc. Each offers some increased level of performance or capability above other models, or at least claims to. The “tactical latch” most frequently is a lengthened charging handle latch that allows more real estate for the user to grab onto, with a resulting increase in leverage and an easier time in operating the charging handle. The latches have been in various forms from just slightly larger than a standard latch to so long that they stab the user in the chest, get caught on just about everything, and can be prone to breaking because of their size. In addition, the latches are often simply replacements for a standard latch and are installed on a standard charging handle by drifting out the very small roll pin and swapping the new latch for the old.

The operation of the charging handle with the support hand and the use of aftermarket latches can lead to problems that weren’t previously seen with the old methods. The rapid sweeping of the charging handle to the rear could put unintended stresses on both the charging handle itself and more directly on the small roll pin holding the latch to the handle as well as asymmetrical forces on the charging handle and latch system. Charging handles are constructed so that the rear of the handle behind the latch is open. With nothing to support the rear of the latch during aggressive manipulation the stress loads up on the roll pin. This can fail (and does with some frequency), resulting in the latch detaching from the handle. The handle is now free to reciprocate in the upper with the bolt carrier. In other cases the ears of the charging handle that hold the latch in may start to open up, and spread enough to allow the latch to come loose. Another type of problem may occur in which the shank of the charging handle flexes and twists, and can become bent or break.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/chfan.jpg
L to R: Gunfighter Mod 3, Mod 4, GI handle with PRI latch, and GI handle with standard latch.

Enter Bravo Company Manufacturing (working with Vltor) and the Gunfighter charging handle and latch system. In an effort to address the shortcomings of many of the previous offerings of aftermarket charging handles and latches, BCM implemented improvements to the danger areas that would minimize or eliminate failures. The handle is machined from 7075 T6 billet and hard coat anodized per Mil-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2. This construction allows for a strong handle body to help resist the twisting and bending that can happen with handles using inferior materials. To counter the asymmetrical forces the open area of the rear of the charging handle is closed in and the rear surface of the latch has arched supports that protrude from the rear of the actual latch.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gipri34stackedrearslot.jpg
The enclosed rear area of the Mod 3 (middle) and Mod 4 (top) compared to the open rear of the GI example (bottom).

These protrusions engage the enclosed rear face of the charging handle and provide some additional support, which prevents all the stress from being inflicted solely on the roll pin. It also helps to prevent asymmetric loading on the charging handle body. The supports are cut in such a way to allow debris to clear itself from the latch slot.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gipri34bottom.jpg
The arched supports of the latch can be seen here.

The forward edge of latch itself is also the same thickness as the charging handle, and when pressed to the rear the back of the latch contacts the ear of the handle and provides even more bearing surface to transfer the stress from the latch to the handle, and not the roll pin. The leading edge of the latch is textured with deep ridges to help the user engage and grip the latch and prevent slipping when used aggressively.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gipri34stackedfront.jpg
The front edges of the Gunfighter latches have aggressive ridges for better grip.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/gi34stackedplan.jpg
A GI handle and latch on top of a Mod 4 latch with a Mod 3 latch on the bottom.

The Gunfighter is currently produced in two versions: the Mod 3 and Mod 4.
The Mod 3 is the longer of the two, and offers a significantly larger surface for the operator to hit. Given the increased size of the Mod 3, it is best used with carbines and rifles that have optics with large ocular bells that are mounted close to the rail towards the rear of the receiver. It also works well if there is a BUIS assembly that has protrusions that may fend off the support hand as it moves along the side of the receiver on its way to the charging handle latch. If there is an Aimpoint or EOTech magnifier mounted the Mod 3 may be preferred as well. Another possible Mod 3 user would be someone who has a RediMag mounted. The extra length of the Mod 3 may be more comfortable for these shooters. Obviously, the increased size lends itself to increased snagging. It may be uncomfortable for some, especially if there isn’t a chest rig or PC to prevent the latch from jabbing into the chest. At the same time, the Mod 3 may catch on gear that is on the user’s chest.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/4mbusxtrrear.jpg
The Mod 3 adds enough length to allow the latch to be easily operated, even with the obstacles presented by large optics or other items.

The Mod 4 is more modest in size and protrudes slightly more than a standard latch. Most users that want a tactical latch will probably be comfortable with this version. The size allows for better grip without being overly large. The Mod 4 balances size and utility very well. The Mod 4 allows for plenty of grip area with carbines or rifles that have an RDS mounted, or a magnified optic that is mounted forward of the rear sight. As opposed to the Mod 3, it will do well on receivers that don’t have a lot of obstructions, knobs, or mounts that would interfere with the support hand’s movement to the latch. In reviewing the two Mods, it was found that most users preferred the smaller size of the Mod 4 over the Mod 3 unless there was a specific need for the larger unit.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/3armsacogside.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/m24shooter/bcm%20gunfighter/3matechftstop.jpg
The Mod 4 works well with these sight and optic arrangements where additional length is not needed.

In use over the past few months, I have found the Gunfighter in both versions to be an improvement over the standard charging handle and latch. While I have previously used the PRI Big Latch as my preferred latch, the Gunfighter Mod 4 has taken its place. Both have made support hand manipulations of the handle for both loading and IA functions much more smooth. This is even more noticeable when done in an aggressive fashion. The charging handle comes smoothly to the rear with no noticeable flex or twisting. With standard GI charging handles I could feel the flex in the handle. I’ve had a roll pin fail on a handle with a Big Latch, and the Gunfighter seems so far to be eliminating these concerns. My personal preference is for the smaller Mod 4, but I do use the Mod 3 on a carbine that has a rear sight and optic set up that doesn’t lend itself well to the smaller Mod 4.

The Gunfighter really shines when used with a Magpul BAD in my experience. The increased area allows for positive contact with and operation of the charging handle. The latch can be either swept with the edge of the support hand or hooked with the index finger while the firing hand operates the BAD for IA. I've gotten hooked on the Gunfighter system and I will be replacing the charging handles on my other ARs with them.

Some may question the need for the Gunfighter and I think Rob S answered that best:


The BCM product will be the kind of thing that if you understand the need you will be very happy that their version exists.

For some the Gunfighter will be of no perceived benefit. However, the Gunfighter brings the capability of using a contemporary manual of arms with the M14/16 FOW without having to worry about the problems that may occur with a standard charging handle and latch system. Additionally, it does this at an effective price point if you consider that the Gunfighter is priced about the same as a high quality charging handle and tactical latch sold separately.

Some have asked about a gas diverting version of the Gunfighter. My understanding of this is that PRI has the intellectual rights to the Gas Buster charging handle design, so the expedient RTV method described in several places by USMC03 will have to be used with the Gunfighter if that is desired by the user.

The BCM Gunfighter can be found at:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCMGUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-s/123.htm

Stickman
31 December 2009, 08:11
I think the review that M24shooter wrote up is dead on accurate. Here are a few recent shots that I took of the BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle for some other work I'm trying to complete.

Here you can see the complete BCM Charging Handle. Looking the the laser markings, there is no doubt who makes this, and they are justifiably proud of their creation.


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3826-1024-Stick.jpg



http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3829-1024-Stick.jpg

Stickman
31 December 2009, 08:15
Moving down to the end of the Charging Handle, you can see its well machined with no rough edges, uneven areas, or gunked up anodizing. The only discoloration visible is from where I conducted dry fire drills on a well used upper before I took these shots. These are machined from 7075 T6 Billet, and are hard coat anodized per Mil-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2.


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3837-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3830-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3838-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3841-1024-Stick.jpg

Stickman
31 December 2009, 08:18
Checking out the actual latch portion, you can see the scallops and reinforcements. The clean machining continues to be evident, and I'll point out again that the markings are from dryfire drills complete before the images were shot. These are also appearing larger than life sized on your monitor.

http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3828-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3840-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3827-1024-Stick.jpg

Stickman
31 December 2009, 08:25
Installed on the weapon, its evident that this model (MOD 4) protrudes at a realistic length. It isn't going to get hooked on any of your gear, and if you are running a magnified optic, the MOD 3 may be your better choice. The aggressive texture of the latch isn't rough enough to tear up hands, but it gives a vastly improved surface, especially if you are working with wet hands, or have hands covered in dirt/ sand.

http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3824-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3822-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3817-1024-Stick.jpg


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3820-1024-Stick.jpg

Stickman
31 December 2009, 08:30
BCM GUNFIGHTER Charging Handle

http://www.bravocompanymfg.com/BCMGUNFIGHTER_Charging_Handle_bravo_company_s/20.htm


Bravo Company MFG,
PO Box 361
Hartland WI, 53029

Phone: 1 - 877- BRAVO CO
Fax: 1 - 262 - 367 - 0989


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Vltor/IMG_3844-1024-Stick.jpg

Stickman
13 January 2010, 08:32
You can also check out a fulll review I wrote about the BCM GUNFIGHTER Charging Handle at Military Times.


MILITARY TIMES/ STICKMAN REVIEW OF BCM GUNFIGHTER CHARGING HANDLE (http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2010/01/13/bravo-company-gunfighter-charging-handle/#more-3907)




http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/wp-content/blogs.dir/5/files/bcm-gunfighter/img_4498-800-mt.jpg

Stickman
5 July 2010, 17:09
BCM GUNFIGHTER MOD 5


http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2010/07/03/bravo-company-mfg-mod-5-gunfighter-charging-handle/


http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/wp-content/blogs.dir/5/files/bcm-mod-5-ch/868w9592-1024-stick.jpg